Newest and best long covid recovery treatments?

Posted by lorivwebb @lorivwebb, Sep 10 3:21pm

Has anyone had any substantial or helpful treatment for severe long covid?
Interested to hear any novel therapies being explored. At this point, I am so tired and now have pots and ME with significant symptoms for 2 years.

Looking for some hopeful ideas.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

@friedrich

There will be national clinical trial on the use of "Pacing" to manage PEM. Here is a link to the announcement of the trial:
https://trials.recovercovid.org/documents/RECOVER_ENERGIZE_Brochure_StructuredPacing_V1.0.pdf
Here is a link to a website with instructions on how to do "Pacing."
https://longcovid.physio/pacing
The study site where I'm in the RECOVER-VITAL clinical trial has applied to become a site for the RECOVER clinical trial of Structured Pacing. (Endeavor Health, Evanston, IL) I hope to participate in that study. In the meantime, I'm keeping a log of my periods of Activity and periods of Rest, and getting increasingly sensitive to internal sensations indicating when I need to end a period of Activity, and turn to Rest.

Also, see the comments under the Posting on this website about the RECOVER clinical trial.

Jump to this post

TY. This is very helpful. I’ve also applied to the study. I love right near one of the facilities and my long covid clinic already asked if I’d like to participate. I hope I’m chosen.

REPLY
@mbryant1380

Hi everyone,
My journey started back in 2021, after having a very mild case of Covid, with multiple symptoms that really didn’t arise until about five months later, with heart issues being the most troubling. Elevated heart rate just sitting down, irregular heartbeats (pvc’s, svt’s and pac’s). Went to two different Cardiologist, heart disease and an electrophysiology. Had a stress test, echocardiograms, heart monitors, C Scans, Transesophageal procedure, even had an EP study performed, didn’t reveal anything serious (their words), just the above mentioned irregularities. I was told by both doctors that the only test left was a table tilt test but even if the results are positive there is no cure only management. So we tried a few different beta blockers, it did help the elevated heart rate but not the arrhythmias. And both told me I can take them as needed but it’s not necessary or a requirement to take them based on my test results.
Some months later I found on my own a LC Clinic here in NYC, my LC doctor performed a “simulation” of a tilt table test, meaning he had me lay down flat with a blood pressure and heart rate monitors for 10 minutes, then had me stand up and said he believes it’s Dysautonomia (POTS) he too said I can only manage the symptoms; lots of water and salt, compression garments but that’s about it. I don’t feel he was being dismissive just straight to the point. After three years I’m at the point of trying to accept what is. Of course I hope I get better but I’m also realizing that this condition/illness is unpredictable I don’t know what to expect. I try to push through the bad days and enjoy the not so bad ones.
Sending positive thoughts and prayers to all for complete recovery and happier days.

Jump to this post

You are Like me with one of the more major symptoms of LC being heart/ circulation related. High Bp were my first obvious symptoms after Covid had gone back in April 2020, with high HR following…no ecg, echocardiogram, chest X-ray etc showed any obvious problem but I was finding it more and more difficult to walk ( having been an assiduous 10,000+ steps a day sort) or even small domestic tasks like standing brushing my teeth or cooking on a stove without pain and breathlessness. Gp had me on 5 hypertensive drugs, and that was it. I tried more self treatment: been swimming last 18 months 5x a week, and at same time intermittent fast 16 hours…no obvious difference, but surely done me some good , even if only mentally! Then I insisted on getting referred to a Falls specialist 2 hours drive away to get a tilt table test, thinking I self diagnosed with PoTS. The week before the test I had a complete collapse out cold in town, followed by dramatic vomiting. The test showed I had postural hypotension, after 8 mins BP had dropped from hyper to 60/40, and specialist insisted my high HR was due to it compensating for this drop…definitely not PoTS. But similar treatment, minus extra salt, with compression socks etc. Meanwhile my GP is also trying to do his bit putting back BP drugs the Falls expert had removed, and tampering with my hormone replacement on my 24 year old hypothyroid diagnosis ( insisting high HR is from ‘overmedicating on levothyroxine’), but that’s another story. It’s depressing how so few doctors seem to know about LC, mine admitted ‘wasn’t interested’ so presumably in Uk others just trying th3 self medicating etc using support of forums like this!

REPLY
@lorivwebb

I’ve had pots for a very long time. Fludrocortisone helps push my pressure quickly but I need a beta blocker for my heart rate. Unfortunately, after covid my beta blocker stopped working effectively and I’ve yet to find a med that helps the extreme Brady/tachy. I’m very well researched in pots though if you need any advice. I’m happy to help. Not everyone is as hard as me with stubborn symptom mgmt.

Jump to this post

I had ‘postural hypotension’ diagnosed this January on a tilt test table; I thought I had self diagnosed PoTS but the Falls specialist said definitely not that heart rate went up to 135 ish as compensation as my BP plummeted from hypertensive at normal rest to 60/40 after 8 minutes standing. My GP had me on 5 hypertensive drugs, the falls expert removed two, but my GP has put me back on one…have you found a drug ( that might be available in UK) that copes with this hyper/ hypo tensive yo-yo…it’s very disabilitating and can only walk short domestic distance, or weekly with supermarket trolley ( but cannot stand at check out)?

REPLY
@hda52

There is a treatment which is beyond the financial means of most but I’ll mention it - the Aviv Clinic . They have a protocol centered on HBOT and the research of a Dr Efrati , an Israeli neurologist and researcher . The results are substantial and the benefits sustain for more than a year or more . Search youtube testimonials of Aviv patients . There is one in Florida and the other is in Dubai - world class

Jump to this post

I did a similar treatment to what is offered at AVIV. AVIV is a great place to go if you want to spend $55,000 for treatment. I found that it helped with PEM but once I stopped doing treatment I went backwards again. If you have cognitive issues it should help for the long term. I do not have cognitive issues just PEM. I am looking into renting a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.

REPLY
@mbryant1380

Hi everyone,
My journey started back in 2021, after having a very mild case of Covid, with multiple symptoms that really didn’t arise until about five months later, with heart issues being the most troubling. Elevated heart rate just sitting down, irregular heartbeats (pvc’s, svt’s and pac’s). Went to two different Cardiologist, heart disease and an electrophysiology. Had a stress test, echocardiograms, heart monitors, C Scans, Transesophageal procedure, even had an EP study performed, didn’t reveal anything serious (their words), just the above mentioned irregularities. I was told by both doctors that the only test left was a table tilt test but even if the results are positive there is no cure only management. So we tried a few different beta blockers, it did help the elevated heart rate but not the arrhythmias. And both told me I can take them as needed but it’s not necessary or a requirement to take them based on my test results.
Some months later I found on my own a LC Clinic here in NYC, my LC doctor performed a “simulation” of a tilt table test, meaning he had me lay down flat with a blood pressure and heart rate monitors for 10 minutes, then had me stand up and said he believes it’s Dysautonomia (POTS) he too said I can only manage the symptoms; lots of water and salt, compression garments but that’s about it. I don’t feel he was being dismissive just straight to the point. After three years I’m at the point of trying to accept what is. Of course I hope I get better but I’m also realizing that this condition/illness is unpredictable I don’t know what to expect. I try to push through the bad days and enjoy the not so bad ones.
Sending positive thoughts and prayers to all for complete recovery and happier days.

Jump to this post

I read Mt Sinai in nyc has a LC clinic.
I don’t know which LC center you went to, but you might want a second opinion.

I was diagnosed with POTS a month ago and Fludrocortisone hasn’t worked yet. I have a 3 mo follow-up and he mentioned if this doesn’t work, there are other meds to try.
I can’t find info on how long it takes Fludrocortisone to work. Anyone know?

REPLY
@wilsonanderson

I had ‘postural hypotension’ diagnosed this January on a tilt test table; I thought I had self diagnosed PoTS but the Falls specialist said definitely not that heart rate went up to 135 ish as compensation as my BP plummeted from hypertensive at normal rest to 60/40 after 8 minutes standing. My GP had me on 5 hypertensive drugs, the falls expert removed two, but my GP has put me back on one…have you found a drug ( that might be available in UK) that copes with this hyper/ hypo tensive yo-yo…it’s very disabilitating and can only walk short domestic distance, or weekly with supermarket trolley ( but cannot stand at check out)?

Jump to this post

I’m in the US and we have many supermarket delivery services. I love online shopping and delivery to my kitchen!
Find whatever services are available where you live and save your energy for something fun like an occasional short lunch.

REPLY

Please, please, please check into this

REPLY
@janetbender

I read Mt Sinai in nyc has a LC clinic.
I don’t know which LC center you went to, but you might want a second opinion.

I was diagnosed with POTS a month ago and Fludrocortisone hasn’t worked yet. I have a 3 mo follow-up and he mentioned if this doesn’t work, there are other meds to try.
I can’t find info on how long it takes Fludrocortisone to work. Anyone know?

Jump to this post

I’m at NYC Langone LC clinic, but I also went to see a LC doctor with Montefiore Hospital. I will ask about the medication you are taking and any other medication options, and see what they say.
Thank you

REPLY
@janetbender

I’m in the US and we have many supermarket delivery services. I love online shopping and delivery to my kitchen!
Find whatever services are available where you live and save your energy for something fun like an occasional short lunch.

Jump to this post

Though supermarkets are not exactly my choice of shopping experience, other than swimming it’s the only trip out…bit pathetic, but better than waiting for a food delivery

REPLY
@wilsonanderson

I had ‘postural hypotension’ diagnosed this January on a tilt test table; I thought I had self diagnosed PoTS but the Falls specialist said definitely not that heart rate went up to 135 ish as compensation as my BP plummeted from hypertensive at normal rest to 60/40 after 8 minutes standing. My GP had me on 5 hypertensive drugs, the falls expert removed two, but my GP has put me back on one…have you found a drug ( that might be available in UK) that copes with this hyper/ hypo tensive yo-yo…it’s very disabilitating and can only walk short domestic distance, or weekly with supermarket trolley ( but cannot stand at check out)?

Jump to this post

I only run low and lower so fluid retention drugs like fludrocortisone help me to retain salt and volume. If you pee a lot and that causes some of your drop- desmopressin can be good. If you want to try something short acting, midodrine will push pressure, but it’s out of your system in 6 hours so no danger if you go high. It’s so hard trialing so many meds. My lows are like yours- 65/45. Awful.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.